Is this frost bite or something else?

[Tdula]

I am not sure on this rooster. It’s my first large comb chicken and I’ll admit my coop is not ideal as it is very large and hard to insulate well. I have had minor frostbite on my hens before and try to apply petroleum jelly before it gets cold but this rooster went from red to black in one day and it was very drastic in the middle of the comb. I don’t know if this is frostbite or poor circulation from the cold. This picture was taken tonight. 3 days into it turning black. It has started to crack and bleed. I am just so curious why it’s not so much in the tips of the comb but in the middle. The yellowing below the black is newer. Day one it was a stark black and red line. I have also noticed he is shaking his head a lot as well and doesn’t seem bothered if you touch it and actually seemed to like it unlike frostbite, which I know you aren’t supposed to bother after they have it. That’s what made me think it was a circulation issue. I added more petroleum and massaged it thinking maybe that would help with blood flow. Again he seemed to enjoy it being massaged, just not sure if I should continue this or leave it alone.

 

[AshVau22]

This is definitely looks like frost bite. I do not have the knowledge to offer what you should do in a case like this. I do know that if temperatures are below freezing, Vaseline or jellies will also freeze. Tagging other for help
@Wyorp Rock
@rosemarythyme

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Don't massage it and don't put anything on it, there's nothing you can do. Does he have to stick his head into any kind of opening in order to eat?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Please see Wyorp Rock's response in Post #7 in this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/frost-bite.1683369/#post-29009910

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am not sure on this rooster. It’s my first large comb chicken and I’ll admit my coop is not ideal as it is very large and hard to insulate well. I have had minor frostbite on my hens before and try to apply petroleum jelly before it gets cold but this rooster went from red to black in one day and it was very drastic in the middle of the comb. I don’t know if this is frostbite or poor circulation from the cold. This picture was taken tonight. 3 days into it turning black. It has started to crack and bleed. I am just so curious why it’s not so much in the tips of the comb but in the middle. The yellowing below the black is newer. Day one it was a stark black and red line. I have also noticed he is shaking his head a lot as well and doesn’t seem bothered if you touch it and actually seemed to like it unlike frostbite, which I know you aren’t supposed to bother after they have it. That’s what made me think it was a circulation issue. I added more petroleum and massaged it thinking maybe that would help with blood flow. Again he seemed to enjoy it being massaged, just not sure if I should continue this or leave it alone.

I have had minor frostbite on my hens before and try to apply petroleum jelly before it gets cold but this rooster went from red to black in one day and it was very drastic in the middle of the comb.

I am just so curious why it’s not so much in the tips of the comb but in the middle. The yellowing below the black is newer.

I added more petroleum and massaged it thinking maybe that would help with blood flow.

Don't put anything on the comb, it will eventually self dub.

The "middle" marker is where he had his head tucked under the wing. Yellow line up to tips was exposed.
Likely he will lose all of the comb from tips down to the yellow line.

I had a rooster that had a similar line like yours, he lost about 1/2 his comb, he didn't indicate it bothered him very much, it took a good while for it to turn black and fall off, but it did and he was fine. I did not touch him one time, just looked at him daily to make sure he was eating/drinking, etc.

Please read this article, it will help you see the progression of Frostbite.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/